Enjoy the labour peace while it lasts.
It's nice to see the contract impasse between teachers and the B.C. government has been sorted out and the acrimony that plagued the recently completed school year is now truly in the past.
However, with more than one year already elapsed in the two-year, net-zero deal the parties inked late last month, it won't be long before the two sides are back at the bargaining table.
I suspect when negotiations get underway next spring teachers will be looking for gains they didn't see this time around, which could make it tough to reach an agreement, particularly if Victoria continues to play hardball. With the current contract set to expire next June, it's a good bet we could soon be plunged back into another struggle where students are the big losers.
Let's hope not because we need some long-term labour peace in the education system, not just a temporary fix to get us through the next provincial election.
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I fully understand the need to get more information before Delta hosts its own public meeting on the current development proposal for the Southlands. Residents must have all the facts in front of them before they express their opinions to Delta council members at the subsequent, and what will undoubtedly be lively, public hearing.
Having said that, I think most people have already made up their minds when it comes to the housing/farming proposal being put forth by the Century Group. I suspect the answers to many of the questions being asked these days won't necessarily be the difference between someone supporting or opposing Century's proposal, but rather be used as ammunition to bolster an argument, one way or the other.
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Well, I'm glad someone is listening when it comes to the new federal electoral map.
It's not finalized at this stage, but Delta would become its own federal riding again if the proposed realignment before the boundaries commission gets approved.
Delta's population has remained steady at around the 100,000 mark for the last quarter century, making it the ideal candidate to be its own constituency, yet for the last two decades we've seen the municipality fragmented into two ridings.
Now that surrounding areas don't require Delta's help to reach population targets, we can become our own riding again, like was the case for a fleeting term 20 years ago.
